Valve assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention is a valve assembly which is particularly adapted to be secured within a tubular element such as the casing of an earth well, for example, by means of a suitable positioning assembly such as a packer assembly. The valve assembly includes an outer housing adapted to be coupled at its upper end to a packer assembly or other suitable structure, the outer housing having an inner cylindrically shaped wall including an under cut part thereof intermediate the ends of the housing. A tubular member having an open upper end, a closed lower end and an outer wall having an outwardly extending shoulder fits within the housing, the outer wall of the tubular member fitting closely but slidably against the inner wall of the housing with the shoulder fitting closely but slidably against said undercut part. When the valve assembly is in its closed position, a port extending through the outer wall of the tubular wall below the shoulder communicates with the undercut part of the housing. A sealing relationship exists between the housing and tubular member above and below the undercut part and between the shoulder and the undercut part. The total area of the underside of the shoulder exceeds the remaining cross sectional area of the tubular member. The valve is opened by mechanically applied force to move the tubular member downwardly so the port extends below the inner wall part of the housing within which it had slidable contact. Release of the mechanical force permits the vacuum created between the shoulder and the upper end of the undercut part of the housing to close the valve.

[limited States Patent 1 Pitts Nov. 19, 1974 VALVE ASSEMBLY [75]Inventor: Charles A. Pitts, Wichita Falls, Tex.

[73] Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company,

Midland, Mich.

[22] Filed: June 25, 1973 [21] Appl. No.2 373,330

[52] US. Cl 166/224 R, l37/DIG. 8, 251/320 [51] Int. Cl. E21b 43/12,F16k H00 [58] Field of Search 166/224, 224 A; 92/130,

92/134; 251/320, 321; 137/DIG. 8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,684,551 9/1928 Manning166/154 2,210,815 8/1940 Linney 166/224 2,211,846 8/1940 Brown 166/224Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Earl D. Ayers[57] ABSTRACT The invention is a valve assembly which is particularlyadapted to be secured within a tubular element such as the casing of anearth well, for example, by means of a suitable positioning assemblysuch as a packer assembly.

The valve assembly includes an outer housing adapted to be coupled atits upper end to a packer assembly or other suitable structure, theouter housing having an inner vcylindrically shaped wall including anunder cut part thereof intermediate the ends of the housing.

A tubular member having an open upper end, a closed lower end and anouter wall having an outwardly extending shoulder fits within thehousing, the outer wall of the tubular member fitting closely butslidably against the inner wall of the housing with the shoulder fittingclosely but slidably against said undercut part When the valve assemblyis in its closed position, a port extending through the outer wall ofthe tubular wall below the shoulder communicates with the undercut partof the housing.

A sealing relationship exists between the housing and tubular memberabove and below the undercut part and between the shoulder and theundercut part.

The total area of the underside of the shoulder exceeds the remainingcross sectional area of the tubular member.

The valve is opened by mechanically applied force to move the tubularmember downwardly so the port extends below the inner wall part of thehousing within which it had-slidable contact.

Release of the mechanical force permits the vacuum created between theshoulder and the upper end of the undercut part of the housing to closethe valve.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to valve assemblies adapted for use in tubular members such asthe casing of earth wells, for example, and particularly to so-calledcement retainer valves.

Cement retainer valves are commonly used below packers sealed across thecasing or well bore where it is desired to introduce cement, underpressure, into that part of the well lying below the packer.

The opening and closing of such retainer valves may be accomplished byexerting downward and upward pressure from a device lowered onto andcoupling with the retainer valve, by exerting downward force from adevice lowered onto the valve device to open the valve, the valve beingspring loaded to close on removal of the downward force, or rotation ofvalve parts with respect to each other is used to open or close thevalve.

Many of the prior art valves function well but are somewhat complex tomanufacture or to actuate. In addition, utilizing spring loading toclose a valve under well conditions is limited because of the size ofthe springs which can be reasonably accommodated. Also, clogging ofmaterial in the space around the springs may result in sluggish movementof the valve mechanism.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A principal object of this invention is toprovide an improved, easy to use valve assembly for use in tubularmembers.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved, reliablecement retainer valve.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved, easier touse, reliable valve for down hole use in earth wells.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION In accordance with this invention there isprovided a valve assembly including an outer housing adapted to becoupled at its upper end to a packer assembly or other suitablestructure, said outer housing having an inner cylindrically shaped wallincluding an undercut part thereof intermediate the ends of the housing.

A tubular member having an open upper end, a closed lower end and anouter wall having an outwardly extending shoulder fits within said outerhousing, the outer wall of the tubular member fitting closely butslidably against the inner wall of the housing with the shoulder fittingclosely but slidably against said undercut part.

When the valve assembly is in its closed position a port extendingthrough the outer wall of the tubular wall below the shouldercommunicates with the undercut part of the housing.

A sealing relationship exists between the housing and tubular memberabove and below the undercut part and between the shoulder and theundercut part.

The total area of the underside of the shoulder exceeds the interior andthe upper end cross sectional area of the tubular member.

The valve is opened by mechanically applied force to move the tubularmember downwardly so the port extends below the inner wall part of thehousing within which it had slidable contact.

Release of the mechanical force permits the vacuum created between theshoulder and the upper end of the undercut part of the housing to closethe valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention, as well as additionalobjects and advantages thereof, will best be understood when thefollowing detailed description is read in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a valveassembly in accordance with this invention; v

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the valve of FIG. 1 in the openposition; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of an alternative valve structure inaccordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, andparticularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown a pumpable material(usually cement) retainer valve, indicated generally by the numeral 10,comprising an outer housing, indicated generally by the numeral 12,which is adapted to be coupled to the lower end of the mandrel 14 of awell packer assembly.

In the embodiment shown, slip elements 16 are coupled to the upper endof the housing 12, but such an arrangement is not a part of thisinvention.

The housing 12 is an elongated hollow structure having open ends, thelower end part having an array of bores 18 through the side walls.

The inner wall of the housing 12 is in three operative diameters, shownas at 20, 22 and 24. The operative lower end of the inner wall, 20, isof the smallest diameter, and the upper end part 24 of the inner wallhas the largest diameter and is threaded (as at 26) at its upper endwhere it is coupled to the mandrel 14.

The inner wall section 22 has a diameter intermediate that of thesections 20 and 24.

A sleeve 28 fits slidably along the inner wall section 24 and is sealedwith respect thereto by the O ring seal 30 disposed in a groove in theouter wall of the sleeve 28. The inner wall 32 of sleeve 28 is of asmaller diameter than the diameter of the inner wall section 22.

The wall section 22, with the sleeve 28 in place against the end of thewall section 24, actually functions as an undercut part between theinner wall part of the upper and lower inner wall parts of the housing12.

An elongated hollow member 34 having a closed lower end 36, an openupper end 38 and has atleast one port 40 extending through its side wallnear the lower end 36.

An outwardly extending shoulder 42 extends from the outer wall 44 at alocation intermediate the ends of the member 34 such that when themember is in its most upward closed position the shoulder 42 bearsagainst the lower end 46 of the sleeve 28.

With the member 34 in the above-described closed condition, the port 40provides communication between the interior of the member 34 and thespace between the outer wall of member 34 and the wall section 22 of thehousing 12.

Seals 48, 50 and 52 provide sealing contact between the wall of member34 below and above the section 22 and between the shoulder 42 and wallsection 22.

The area of the annulus defined by the lower surface 54 of the shoulder42 exceeds the cross-sectional area of the interior and the upper endsurface 48 of the member 34.

OPERATION In operation, a cement retainer setting tool (not shown) islowered at the end of a string of tubing and coupled to the packerassembly and the stinger of the tool is manipulated downwardly to pressagainst the upper end 38 of the member 34, forcing the member 34downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3. That is, the bore (or bores)40 are exposed to that lower part of the housing 12 which contains thebores 18 and which is also open ended. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3,before the bore 40 is totally along the inner wall 20, the seal 48 isbelow the inner wall 20. This leaves an unsealed path for the release ofpressure built up in the space between the inner wall section 22 and theouter wall of the member 34 as the member 34 descends.

The cement slurry or other pumpable material may then be injectedthrough the tubing, stinger and the valve of this invention to bedeposited in the well below the packer.

After the pumpable material has passed through the valve apparatus 10,the vacuum created in the space between the shoulder 54 and the lowerend 46 of sleeve 28 causes the valve to close by raising the member 34so the port(s) 40 are again sealed from the exterior of the tool.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of valveapparatus in accordance with this invention.

The housing 112 has an open lower end which is capped by capping member120.

The slidable sleeve 122 has an upper end 126 which is contacted by astinger (not shown) and has a bore 124 in its side wall. Seals 128, 130,one above and one below the bore 124, provide sealed, slidable contactbetween the member 122 and the housing 112.

The inner wall of the housing 112 is undercut at its lower end part 136and the member 112 has an outwardly extending shoulder 138 at its lowerend.

The housing 112 has a bore 118 in its side wall above the wall part 136.An ring seal 132 is provided in the housing 112 just below the bore 118.An 0 ring seal 134 is also provided in the shoulder 138.

In operation, lowering the stinger (not shown) on the top 126 of thesleeve 122 pushes the sleeve down, lining up the bores 124 and 118 toopen the valve. At the same time, a vacuum is created as the shoulder138 moves downwardly from the upper end of the undercut lower part 136of the housing.

The bores 124, 118 may be kept in axial alignment by key ways (notshown).

After the pumping through the valve is completed, the stinger is liftedand the vacuum raises the sleeve to close the valve.

What is claimed is:

l. A valve assembly adapted for use in a tubular structure, saidassembly including a housing adapted to be coupled at one end to asuitable structure disposed across said tubular structure, said housinghaving an inner cylindrically shaped wall including an undercut partthereof intermediate the ends of the housing,

a tubular member having an upper end and a lower end and outer wallhaving an outwardly extending shoulder, said tubular member fittingwithin said housing, said outer wall of said tubular member fittingclosely but slidably against the inner wall of said housing with saidshoulder fitting closely but slidably against said undercut part,- saidhousing and said tubular member each having at least one port extendingtherethrough, means for maintaining a slidable sealing relationshipbetween said housing and said tubular member between said shoulder andabove said undercut part, means for applying a mechanical force throughone end of said housing to move said tubular member with respect to saidhousing whereby said ports communicate with each other and a vacuum isproduced in the space between said shoulder and an adjacent undercutpart of said housing.

2. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the end of saidhousing opposite the end to which mechanical force is applied is closedand both ends of said tubular member are open.

3. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein both ends ofsaid housing are open and the lower end of said tubular member isclosed.

4. A valve assembly in accordance with claim wherein said tubularstructure includes a well bore.

5. A valve assembly in accordance with claim wherein said housingincludes a sleeve part held fixed position.

6. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein means areprovided for maintaining a slidable sealing relationship between said atleast one port in said tubular member and said housing at least whensaid valve assembly is in its closed position.

7. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said valveassembly is attached to the down hole end of a well packer assembly.

8. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the transversecross sectional area of said shoulder is greater than the transversecross sectional area of the remainder of said tubular member.

1. A valve assembly adapted for use in a tubular structure, saidassembly including a housing adapted to be coupled at one end to asuitable structure disposed across said tubular structure, said housinghaving an inner cylindrically shaped wall including an undercut partthereof intermediate the ends of the housing, a tubular member having anupper end and a lower end and outer wall having an outwardly extendingshoulder, said tubular member fitting within said housing, said outerwall of said tubular member fitting closely but slidably against theinner wall of said housing with said shoulder fitting closely butslidably against said undercut part, said housing and said tubularmember each having at least one port extending therethrough, means formaintaining a slidable sealing relationship between said housing andsaid tubular member between said shoulder and above said undercut part,means for applying a mechanical force through one end of said housing tomove said tuBular member with respect to said housing whereby said portscommunicate with each other and a vacuum is produced in the spacebetween said shoulder and an adjacent undercut part of said housing. 2.A valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the end of saidhousing opposite the end to which mechanical force is applied is closedand both ends of said tubular member are open.
 3. A valve assembly inaccordance with claim 1, wherein both ends of said housing are open andthe lower end of said tubular member is closed.
 4. A valve assembly inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said tubular structure includes a wellbore.
 5. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidhousing includes a sleeve part held in fixed position.
 6. A valveassembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein means are provided formaintaining a slidable sealing relationship between said at least oneport in said tubular member and said housing at least when said valveassembly is in its closed position.
 7. A valve assembly in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said valve assembly is attached to the down holeend of a well packer assembly.
 8. A valve assembly in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the transverse cross sectional area of said shoulder isgreater than the transverse cross sectional area of the remainder ofsaid tubular member.